KPFA speaker donors

March 11th, 2010

Big thanks to these kind souls who chipped in to buy new monitor speakers for the KPFA performance studio!

Moonalice
Marc Evans
Paul Mosher
Sandy Sonnenfelt
Dario Birindelli
Barbara Gabel
R. David Guidry
Hamlin Endicott
Andy Cahn
Classic Kicks, Inc.
Jeff Mitchell
Steve Golston
Eric Eichorn
Grateful Dread Design
Daniel Frederick
E.J. Service
Jennifer Neal
Michael Kuti
Lance Walker
Natalie Dollar
Richard Selleseth
Addie Corn
John Skeels
Steve Swartz
Bratsacks Babyware
Roger Renken
Julie Postel
Bart Trickel

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Dead to the World 3/10/10

March 10th, 2010

Promised Land
They Love Each Other
El Paso
Deal
Looks Like Rain
Row Jimmy
It’s All Over Now
Loser
Lazy Lightnin’->
Supplication
Brown-Eyed Women
The Music Never Stopped – Grateful Dead 9/27/76 War Memorial, Rochester NY

The Wheel – Railroad Earth, Retrospective
I’ll Take a Melody – Jerry Garcia Band, Let It Rock (11/75 Keystone Berkeley)
What Can I Say? – Kuli Loach, Loach
Beat It on Down the Line – Grateful Dead, Road Trips vol 3 no 2 (11/15/71)

Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie screening info here.

Posted in Dead to the World | 3 Comments »

“Saint Misbehavin’” at the Grand Lake 4/1

March 8th, 2010

SNEAK PREVIEW and special event screenings of SAINT MISBEHAVIN’: THE WAVY GRAVY MOVIE to benefit the film’s release and Camp Winnarainbow at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA!

WHO: Saint Misbehavin’ himself – Wavy Gravy – and the filmmakers and stars of the film

WHAT: Screening and Special Event to benefit the film’s release and Wavy Gravy’s Camp Winnarainbow

WHEN: April 1st, 2010. Special Event Screening and Q&A at 7:30pm; encore screening at 10:00pm followed by Q&A

WHERE: The Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland CA

Special Event Screening will begin at 7:30pm followed by Q&A with director Michelle Esrick, Wavy Gravy and other stars of the film.

From 6:00 to 7:00pm limited a special reception will be held at the theater, where people can mingle with the filmmakers, Wavy Gravy, and other stars of the film. Also including silent auction. Reception limited to 100 tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Grand Lake Theater box office or online at:
brownpapertickets.com

About the Film
Saint Misbehavin’: The Wavy Gravy Movie reveals the true story of cultural phenomenon Wavy Gravy – a man whose commitment to making the world a better place has never wavered. We experience the impact one man can have and connect to the hope that each one of us can make a difference and have fun doing it! Appearing in the film are Larry Brilliant, Jackson Browne, The Grateful Dead, The Hog Farm Commune, Odetta, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Bonnie Raitt, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jahanara Romney (Wavy’s wife), Ram Dass, and others. The film features a special recording of Wavy Gravy’s song “Basic Human Needs” performed by Jackson Browne, Dr. John, Steve Earle, Emory Joseph, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Bob Weir, Bonnie Raitt and more.

About Camp Winnarainbow
Camp Winnarainbow draws from the world of circus and theatrical arts, teaching timing, balance and a sense of humor. We honor the creative spirit of each child in an atmosphere of approval and mutual encouragement. Camp Winnarainbow provides a training ground to nurture leaders for a peaceful, harmonious, and sustainable culture.

More information: saintmisbehavin.com & campwinnarainbow.org

Posted in Gratifying, Politics and culture | 2 Comments »

Grateful Dead Hour no. 1020

March 7th, 2010

Week of March 8, 2010

Part 1 19:59
Introduction
The Jerry Garcia Collection, volume 2: Let It Rock (Keystone Berkeley, November 17-18, 1975)
LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER

Part 2 34:56
Grateful Dead 9/27/76 War Memorial, Rochester NY
MIGHT AS WELL
SAMSON AND DELILAH
HELP ON THE WAY->
SLIPKNOT!->
DRUMS

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A Grateful Dead tale

March 5th, 2010

This is from the Folk Alliance Region-West mailing list, where we have been talking about the Grateful Dead for the last few days. Reproduced here with the permission of its author, Duff Ferguson:

i was a late arrival to this phenomenon, attending my first show in the late 80s at Giant’s Stadium in New Jersey, and as a teen was admittedly drawn with my friends more by the prospect of some epic partying than a great appreciation for the band’s music or history. but it was clear shortly after arrival that this was a very different scene than the usual rowdy pre-show tailgating experienced at Giants Stadium shows by AC/DC or the Stones — it was more like you ran away into a Renaissance Fair or traveling circus that emerged from the forest, took over an oil stained parking lot and made it a magical suspended time place for an afternoon (with or, in my case, without the aid of Kool Aid). it was worth the price of admission just to walk through the field and eyeball the colorful, rickity vans and buses of the committed traveling fans, who were eager to meet others, jam, relax, share food, but also often sported handmade signs warning not to ask them for any drugs, which i guess was a tiring, continuous request that gets very old. kind of a mobile Burning Man festival of sorts…

we had bought cheap seats at the last minute and were very disappointed to find that our seats were actually in a little nosebleed section showhorned *behind* the stage, so we set about trying to sneak into the floor area and were successful. spotting some roving security guards assigned to catch folks such as us, we were looking around for a hiding spot when we heard “hey man, come over here!” turning quickly, we saw a row of tie-dyed, wheelchair bound people sitting happily in an elevated handicapped-only section beckoning our way. at their direction, we grabbed their chair handles from behind as if we were there helping them move around during the show, and the guards left us alone. in the conversation that followed, the elderly fellow in the chair i manned described how the music and community at the shows not only gave him a place where his disability and age were no barrier to his acceptance, but the qualities of the music also helped his mind and spirit soar in a way that transcended his physical limitations. in short, the music was a therapy.

later, we tried out our cheap seats and found they were literally the best seats in the house… we were positioned backstage right behind the tattered amps, right up close, with a perfect view of the backsides of all the players. from this perspective, removed from the hurly burly, we were able to appreciate the intimate, jazz club jam vibe of the stage itself and the humble interplay and deep respect all the players showed for each other as they worked their way through the long night. they played to each other more than to the crowd, and the results were nothing less than exquisite.

a taste of living history and an inspiration to those who wish in their hearts that their creative output might also, someday… somehow… spark a true, rich cultural tradition all its own…

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SF Chronicle story about my 25th anniversary in broadcasting

March 5th, 2010

“My mission,” says Gans, “is to put the Grateful Dead’s best foot forward every week and explore the roots and branches of that tree, keep people up to date on what they’re doing now, and go back to dig out the coolest stuff from the archives. There’s just no downside.”

I am particularly fond of the photo of my ponytail.

Posted in Dead to the World, Grateful Dead Hour | 1 Comment »

Ted Templeman interview from my archive

March 3rd, 2010

Responding to a request from a guy who is researching a book on Van Halen, I scanned my October 1981 interview with producer Ted Templeman.

Interesting and sad to read now, with Mo Ostin and Lenny Waronker and Jerry Wexler and all those other great record men gone.

“I’m an officer of the company…. if an artist like Pete Townshend or Paul Simon has a problem in the studio, he can talk to an executive who can actually make records…. they don’t have to explain their technical problems to some guy who used to sell overcoats.”

I think Ted got into some trouble over what he said about Van Morrison, e.g. “He’s a marvelous talent, a fantastic singer – but he’s fired everyone who’s ever worked with him: all his producers, his managers, his attorneys, his wives, his kids.”

Lowell George “couldn’t get out of bed to play the solo on ‘Rocket in My Pocket,’ so I had Bonnie Raitt come in and play it. He got so infuriated that he got out of bed and came down and player the solo that’s on the record.

“I got him to *sing* that song, too. He was singing it kind of wimpy, and I said, ‘Lowell, you’re singing like a pussy. Come on, SING!’ He got so pissed off, he literally jumped off the ground.”

It’s PDFs, not text. One of these days I’ll get it OCR’d. Worth reading, if you’re interested in the music business.

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DG trio @ Sutter Creek this Saturday 3/6

March 3rd, 2010

Saturday, March 6: Sutter Creek Theater, Sutter Creek CA. 916-425-0077. I will be leading a trio – myself plus Zac Matthews on mandolin and Mike Sugar on bass.

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Grateful Dead Hour no. 1019

February 28th, 2010

Week of March 1, 2010

Part 1 20:46
Introduction
David Nelson Band 1/29/10 Akebono Theater, Pahoa HI
BEAT IT ON DOWN THE LINE
Interview: DAVID NELSON re Jerry on Broadway
Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band, Pure Jerry: Lunt-Fontanne, New York City October 31, 1987
DIAMOND JOE
Interview: DAVID NELSON re “Diamond Joe”

Part 2 35:34
Grateful Dead 9/27/76 War Memorial, Rochester NY
IT’S ALL OVER NOW
LOSER
LAZY LIGHTNIN’->
SUPPLICATION
BROWN-EYED WOMEN
THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED

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Gans gigs: Bay Area this weekend, festival preview, etc

February 26th, 2010

First of all, thanks to all who listened and contributed to KPFA during the annual Grateful Dead marathon. We had a great time and raised around $23,000 for the station. Peter Rowan dropped by in the afternoon, guitar in hand, and David Nelson visited in the evening. You can hear those portions of the broadcast – plus an interview with author Jim Tuedio – on my blog . And you can make a donation to KPFA any time at http://www.kpfa.org

I have a busy weekend coming up, and a weird sleep schedule due to an early-morning start time (weather permitting) in San Rafael on Sunday.

Monday night I’ll be at the Freight with Rubber Souldiers, opening for Wake the Dead in a benefit for the Haiti relief efforts of Doctors without Borders. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

If you’re planning to come to the Marin Farmers’ Market Sunday morning, please check the weather before you head out; if it’s raining hard, I will have to stay home.

The summer festival season is starting to take shape. I’ll be scheduling other performances around the festivals, including house concerts. If you’re interested in hosting a house concert, please contact me.

And as always, please stay tuned to dgans.com/gigs.html for the latest.

P.S. I am getting ready to release a “digital single” – a song called “Life Is a Jam,” recorded in December with a GREAT band: Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band) on keyboards; Mark Karan (Ratdog, Jemimah Puddleduck), guitar; Joe Kyle, Jr (The Waybacks), bass; Dave Brogan (ALO), drums; Zac Matthews (Hot Buttered Rum) and Bear Kittay, background vocals. We’ll be offering three takes, each with a unique jam at the end. Stay tuned.

P.P.S. East Bay residents, please be on the lookout for the Spring 2010 issue of Edible East Bay; I wrote and photographed a story on Blue Bottle Coffee (see page 20). You’ll also find articles there on two other local favorites: Barlovento Chocolates and the Taco Grill (located in the Fruitvale Public Market in Oakland). Readers elsewhere will find the text of my story here (and while we’re on the subject, extra special thanks to Leticia at the Taco Grill for providing lunch for the phone volunteers at KPFA on marathon day!).

Whew! Nuff said. Here are the gigs:

Saturday, February 27, 8 pm: The China Cats, David Gans, and Jeni Swerdlow’s DRUMMM at the Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA. $10

Sunday, February 28, 9 am to 1 pm: Marin Farmers’ Market at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael CA. Free! Great organic produce, prepared foods, etc.

Monday, March 1, 8pm: Wake the Dead and Rubber Souldiers play a benefit for Haiti relief at the Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley CA. Tickets are on sale now!

Saturday, March 6: Sutter Creek Theater, Sutter Creek CA. 916-425-0077. I will be leading a trio – myself plus Zac Matthews on mandolin and Mike Sugar on bass.

Thursday, April 8, 8:30am to 1pm: Marin Farmers’ Market at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael CA. Free! Great organic produce, prepared foods, etc.

Saturday, April 10, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm: Grand Lake Farmers’ Market, at Splash Pad Park (Lake Park and Grand Avenues), Oakland. Free! Great organic produce, prepared foods, etc.

April 23-24: Shakori Hills Grass Roots Festival of Music and Dance, Silk Hope NC

Thursday, May 6, 8pm: The Curios, Michael Foley, and DG at the Freight and Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley.

May 28-30: Desert Rocks Music Festival, Moab UT

Wednesday, June 16, 4-8pm: Fairfax Farmers’ Market, in Bolinas Park, Fairfax CA

June 25-27: Full Moon Jam in June, Arizona Beach Lodge, Port Orford OR
July 2-5: Grateful Fest at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Nelson/Garrettsville OH
July 29-August 1: Gathering of the Vibes, Bridgeport CT
August 13-15: A Bear’s Picnic, Laurelton PA
September 9-12: Terrapin Hill Harvest Festival, Harrodsburg KY

dgans.com/gigs.html

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